Top Ten All Time Chicago Cubs By Position

Catcher — Gabby Hartnett (1922-1940)

For the better part of his career, Gabby Hartnett was the best catcher in baseball. He was also one of the greatest catchers in MLB history.

Hartnett hit .297/.370/.490, with 231 home runs and 1,153 RBI in 1,926 games in a Chicago Cubs uniform.

Hartnett played in just six All Star games, but remember that the All Star game was not created until 1933. He was a member of the original All Star game roster.

In 1937, Hartnett set the record for highest batting average by a catcher. He hit .354. That mark stood for SIXTY years, until Mike Piazza hit .362 in 1997.

Hartnett will probably be best known for a home run he hit on September 28, 1938.

The Cubs were in a pennant race with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They were a half-game behind them, and Harnett was batting with two outs in the ninth and the game tied. It was dark, and the umpires were going to suspend the game if it ended in the ninth with the game tied. Harnett hit a home run to give the Cubs the win, and a lead in standings. They won the next day as well and won the pennant.

That home run became not only one of the most iconic homers in Cubs history, but also in baseball history.

Hartnett had the respect of other Hall of Famers. “I rated Gabby [Hartnett] the perfect catcher,” Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy said. “He was super smart and nobody could throw with him. And he also was an outstanding clutch hitter.”

The Cubs may not have had many great catchers, but in Gabby Hartnett they had one of the greatest.

Next: Starting Pitcher -- Three Finger Brown